Who Should I Start? Tyrod Taylor or Cole Payton

Sunday, March 22, 9:46 AM

After trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, the New York Jets still need a veteran backup QB for Geno Smith. Carson Wentz re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers. Options are dwindling, but ESPN's Rich Cimini writes that the 32-year-old Cooper Rush could be in play after the Baltimore Ravens recently released him. Re-signing Tyrod Taylor is another option, but the 36-year-old is injury-prone. Other free-agent QBs include Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson. A trade can never be ruled out, but the asking prices remain high around the league. Rush is an eight-year NFL veteran who spent his first seven years with the Cowboys before going 34-for-52 for 303 yards, no touchdowns, and four picks in four games (two starts) for the Ravens in 2025. Taylor replaced Fields as the starter last year in New York but played only six games (four starts) due to injuries and was lackluster, completing 59.7% of his pass attempts for 779 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions.